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Harbour Marine Services

Incorporating Southwold & Ipswich Boatyards

Southwold Boat Yard Services.

Our Services

Welcome to our Southwold Boat Yard. With a dedicated team of skilled professionals, we are fully equipped to design, project manage, and execute everything from the smallest marine repair to a complete new build or classic restoration. We offer an extensive range of in-house services, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern marine technology to deliver exceptional results.

Our comprehensive approach ensures that every vessel receives meticulous care. The process begins with a thorough consultation and assessment, followed by the allocation of our specialist teams. Our in-house capabilities include:

  • Traditional and modern boatbuilding techniques in timber, GRP, aluminium, and steel
  • West System approved Osmosis treatment
  • Comprehensive rigging and marine engineering services
  • Marine electrical engineering and design
  • Fabrication in steel, aluminium, and stainless steel
  • Awlgrip accredited application

Our facilities include 10,000 square feet of temperature-controlled, ventilated undercover shed space, a chandlery, and hardstanding for up to 20 vessels. We also provide our own pontoons with electricity and water facilities, a 24-ton hoist, and a 20-ton crane.

Restoration

Restoring a classic vessel requires precision, patience, and passion. Our team of industry-recognised shipwrights and craftsmen specialise in returning boats to their former glory. From sourcing period-correct timber to applying modern protective coatings, we ensure every vessel retains its classic charm while meeting contemporary safety standards. Many of our restorations have received prestigious industry awards.

Repair & Refit

We offer seamless repair and refit services, managing every step of the process. Upon arrival, your vessel undergoes a full diagnostic survey by our experienced team. Recognised by major marine insurance companies, we handle insurance repairs, independent surveys, and coding efficiently. Many of our staff are boat owners themselves, ensuring practical, real-world expertise in every repair.

Chandlery

Our well stocked marine chandlery supplies premium ropes, marine paints, varnishes, hardware, and essential equipment. Whether you’re completing a DIY project on-site or need a specific fitting before sailing, our knowledgeable staff provide expert guidance and source the exact part you require.

Haul Out & Hardstanding

We have a Wise hoist and a 20 ton crane which can handle all our boat movements and rigging work. We have hard-standing for up to 100 vessels. We have access to two slips and can haul out vessels up to 50 foot in length. We offer competitive rates for hardstanding and are happy for owners to work on their vessels whilst they are with us.

We offer a complete package for the winter including haul out, pressure wash, anti-foul, hardstanding for the winter and launch.

Ipswich Yard At Harbour Marine Services
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Workshops

Our premises comprise of some 10,000 sq feet of temperature controlled and ventilated undercover shed space in three separate sheds. This allows us to always have a ‘clean’ shed for varnishing and painting. We have a fully equipped engineering workshop and a 1000 sq foot chandlery. Whilst vessels are under our care for a refit or restoration, we have the facility to store all personal and interior items in our store rooms.

We always welcome owners to come and work on their boats; we believe that if owners are part of the work on their vessel they will gain the best possible experiences from their use and ownership.

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Rigging

We have one the most experienced rigging teams on the East Coast. They are able to make and fit both standing and running rigging to all vessels from modern cruisers, race yachts and dinghies to classic yachts. They are experienced in making your vessel sail better and more easily and their advice is, as always at HMS, free. We are able to design, make and rig timber spars for the more traditional vessel or provide new aluminium spars in conjunction with Z-Spars. Servicing and replacement of deck gear, furling systems and winches is also offered and we are the East Coast service agents for Lewmar.

We stock English Braid ropes and offer a full splicing service where our riggers can splice almost any line to suit your particular vessel. We carry a good stock of blocks and winches and can provide systems from Wichard, Lewmar, Harken, Ronstan, Spinlock. Selden and many others.

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Southwold Services
Haul Out &
Hardstanding
Workshops
Rigging
Engineering
Painting
Design

Haul Out & Hardstanding

Our yard is equipped with a 24-ton hoist and a 20-ton crane, capable of handling boats up to 50 feet. We offer seasonal packages including pressure washing, anti-fouling, and secure hardstanding. Owners are welcome to work on their vessels while staying with us.

Workshops & Painting

Our temperature-controlled sheds ensure pristine Awlgrip, Hempel, and Epifanes paint applications year-round. We provide clean environments for varnishing and secure storage for your interior items during refits.

Rigging

As East Coast service agents for Lewmar, our expert riggers supply, make, and fit standing and running rigging. We stock English Braid & Kingfisher ropes, offer splicing services, and supply systems from Harken, Selden, and more.

Engineering

Our workshop handles inboard diesel and petrol engine diagnostics, rebuilds, and generator installations. We supply and fit propellers from Bruntons, Gori, and Darglow, ensuring peak performance.

Design

We work closely with clients to design interior and exterior alterations that improve functionality without detracting from the vessel’s original aesthetic appeal.

Latest Projects

from Harbour Marine Services

Silvergare

Silvergare or Silver Charm as she was first registered in 1938 is a ‘Silver’ class motor yacht built by James A Silver Ltd at Roseneath

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Benita

Benita is a classic example of a West Solent One Design or ‘W’ boats, she is W30 built by Berthon Marine in 1930 build number

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Highland Beauty

Highland Beauty is a fine example of a Rampart 48 Update: September 2025 During June, July & August the team at HMS did a great

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Jorvik

Jorvik Jorvik is a McGruer 41, she arrived at HMS during the Covid lockdown for an extensive but sympathetic restoration. She is a classic wooden

Read More »

Meridies

This is Meridies a 1937 46ft Silver Leaf class boat, she has recently been to HMS for a refresh prior to being sold through Sanderman Yacht…

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Chinda

Nic Seal brought his 46ft twin screw Silverleaf to Harbour Marine Services after a recommendation from the owners of ‘Gralian’ and then a visit from John Buckley to their home in Cowes.

Read More »

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What materials do your boatbuilders work with?
    We specialise in full traditional and modern boatbuilding techniques using timber, GRP (glass-reinforced plastic), aluminium, and steel.

 

  1. What facilities do you have on-site?
    Our yard features a 10,000 sq ft temperature-controlled shed, hardstanding for 20 vessels, fully serviced pontoons, a 24-ton hoist, and a 20-ton crane.

 

  1. Do you have experience with classic yacht restorations?
    Yes, classic restorations are a core speciality. We have executed numerous restorations that have attracted prestigious industry awards, employing some of the best shipwrights in the UK.

 

  1. Are your repair services recognised by marine insurance companies?
    Absolutely. We are fully recognised by major marine insurance providers to carry out repairs, surveys, and coding work.

  2. What items do you stock in your chandlery?Our chandlery holds a wide inventory of premium ropes, marine paints, varnishes, hardware, and general boating supplies.

© 2026 Harbour Marine Services